ID: COUNSELORS AVAILABLE AFTER IN-N-OUT SHOOTING
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TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT) — The aftermath of the shooting has left many in the community feeling scared and confused. It’s why nearly 50 crisis counselors gathered to provide mental health help for free to those who need it.
Melissa Osen, the owner of Chance for Change said that Lori Stewart with the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office saw a need and mobilized other local leaders. They decided to offer crisis therapy services and therapy dogs at Rock Creek Elementary School. Osen said dozens of people attended with most in a state of disbelief.
“It’s kind of sinking in for people, that this happened here in our community, and that concern people have,” Osen said.
The therapy sessions help people understand the emotions that come after a traumatic event like this.
“This is something that most of us have never seen in our lifetime especially here in Twin Falls and we’re just trying to help people normalize what they are feeling, these reactions that they are having, these feelings, how it’s showing up for them. These are normal feelings they are feeling to a very abnormal event,” Osen said.
For someone like Samuel Ferrell, those feelings are powerful. He said he was near the In-N-Out, originally wanting to go there to eat, when he saw it was too crowded.
As Ferrell pulled away, he heard popping sounds and originally thought his tires burst, then he saw people running.
“I remember just seeing people running, screaming, somebody was saying, ‘Shooting! Shooting! Shooting!’ and running the opposite direction of where I was driving to,” Ferrell said.
Ferrell said his first instinct was to try to help, then the police quickly closed off the area. He found himself put on lockdown inside his hotel room, where he remained for hours. He contacted his sister, wife, and parents to let them know he was safe.
Ferrell said that learning more about the victims and being in proximity to the shooting makes this very emotional for him.
“In the moment, you got an adrenaline rush and then when you come off of it, its like an extreme anxiety, depression, anger, being sad, all coming into one and like an atom bomb just blasting and it’s not really an easy scenario to comprehend,” Ferrell said.
Ferrell said he plans to go to counseling in the future and is grateful for the support of his family.
Osen added offering therapy sessions for free helps encourage people to seek help and heal through connection.
“We want this to be available for everyone. And we don’t want anyone to feel, ‘It didn’t happen to me as much, I wasn’t right there, I saw it on something somebody posted.’ If it’s coming up for you if you are thinking about it, if it’s a thought for you, if you can’t get it out of your mind, come in, meet with the amazing therapists that are here,” Osen said.
If you missed the sessions Sunday, Osen said they’ll be back at Rock Creek Elementary School Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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